Handbook for Environmental Project Funding
i funding_handbook
CONTENTS
PREFACE IV Acknowledgement v Legal Notice v Contacts v Useful Links v
INTRODUCTION 1 Information on the European Union 1 Who should read this Handbook 1 Purpose and Objectives 1 Background 2 Structure of the Handbook 3
ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION 5 Introduction 5 Cohesion Fund 7 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) 8 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 9 European Social Fund 10 Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance 11 Innovative Actions 12 INTERREG III 13 LEADER + 15 URBAN II 16
CORE ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCING 18 Environment Funding from the European Union 18 Civil Protection Assistance Interventions 19 Community Action Programme in the Field of Civil Protection 20 Environmental Awareness 21 Financial Support for European ENVIROnMENTAL Organisations 22 General Call for Environmental Proposals 23 LIFE III (LIFE- Nature, LIFE- Environment and LIFE- Third countries) 24 Marine Pollution 26 Sustainable Urban Development 27
ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNAL FINANCING 28
ii funding_handbook
Introduction 28 Asia Pro Eco 29 Asia Urbs 31 Border Regions – Pilot Projects 33 Co-financing with NGOs 36 Environment in Developing Countries 37 ISPA 39 MEDA II 41 PHARE 43 SAPARD 44 SMAP 45 TACIS 47 Tropical Forest Management 48 URB-AL- Local Urban Development in Latin America 50
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH FINANCING 52 The 6th RTD Framework Programme 53
ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCING THROUGH EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, CULTURAL AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES 55 Culture 2000 56 Leonardo da Vinci 58 Socrates 60 Youth 62
LOAN FINANCING BY THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK AND EUROPEAN INVESTMENT FUND 64 European Investment Bank 64 SME Guarantee Facility 66
List of Figures Figure 1 - Local stakeholders get involved 2 Figure 2 - Format of information 3 Figure 3 - The Structural Funds and Rural Development 6
iii funding_handbook
PREFACE
Over 2 years have past since the publication of the White Paper on European Governance. This document established principles of good governance such as openness, participation, and coherence. It also made a proposal for change to have better involvement from both citizens and local authorities in shaping Europe. Reaching out to citizens through local democracy is one of the key objectives of the White Paper.
I am committed to applying these new approaches to the environment. For many years environmental policy had been developed in consultation with stakeholders. We have adopted an Action Plan on Environmental Governance which included the preparation of this Handbook on funding opportunities for local environmental projects.
I hope that this Handbook will be useful for you and help us jointly improve and sustain Europe’s environment.
Margot Wallström Commissioner for the Environment
iv funding_handbook
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This handbook was prepared by Atkins Environment, UK under contract to the European Commission by Frank Price and Alison Aldous, web design was by Tim Chilton.
LEGAL NOTICE
Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of the following information.
© European Commission, 2004. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
CONTACTS
This Handbook has been written as a practical guide to EU funding mechanisms for environmental projects. We welcome your views and feedback on any aspect of the guide. Please write or e-mail your comments to the address below. Thank you.
Directorate-General Environment, European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
USEFUL LINKS
EUROPA – the official web site of the European Union and in particular:
Secretariat General – for general information on the European Commission
Directorate General Environment – for general information of European environmental policy
The green portal – for access the “green portal” of the European Commission
Grants and Loans – the EuropeAid Co-operation Office
Europe Direct – first-point contact for general enquiries to the European Union
Handbook of Environmental Funding – from the French national government
v funding_handbook
INTRODUCTION
INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN UNION
Information in all the official languages of the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server. Europe Direct is a freephone service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union and to provide direct responses to general enquiries. If you have more detailed questions you will be directed to the best source of information. The freephone number: 00 800 6789 1011 can be used from anywhere within the 15 member states and you will reach an operator who speaks your language. Europe Direct will also cover the fifteen new member states from 1 May 2004.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS HANDBOOK
This handbook is intended to increase the capacity of individuals and organisations to engage in issues of local governance through involvement in projects leading to environmental enhancement and sustainable development at the local level. The goal of the handbook is to increase capacity for undertaking local environmental interventions by helping individuals and organisations gain access to key information on the funding instruments dedicated to environmental improvement.
This handbook was written to assist people in gaining access to the various environmental funding instruments of the European Commission. A sheet is also included on environmental financing by the European Investment Bank. If you are an officer or a member of a municipality, an NGO, a business, a governmental or non-governmental institution or a concerned individual, working or involved in the activities of environmental protection, improvement or education, then this guide is for you.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the handbook is to guide practitioners, professionals and volunteers through the sources, procedures and practices of EU environmental project funding.
Use of this guide will assist readers to achieve the following:
• understand the sources, extent and availability of the various EU funds accessible for local environmental projects;
• be able to access sources of information regarding project identification and funding application procedures.
1 funding_handbook
The guide itself is not exhaustive but acts as a good first step into the sources of help and assistance provided by the environmental instruments themselves. It is not intended to replace the other sources of information, but to provide a more accessible route to that information.
BACKGROUND
The background to this handbook is contained in the 2002 Action Plan on Environmental Governance of the European Commission. In 2002, the Commission decided that the preparation of a Handbook or Vade Mecum would be helpful in providing information on the principle characteristics of the environmental instruments and in orienting potential funding applicants in the right direction. In summary the Commission expects that the handbook will:
• Assist implementation of the White Paper on Governance;
• Assist the implementation of the 6th Environmental Action Programme;
• Encourage improved local governance by empowering individuals to engage in issues and interventions of local concern;
• Provide improved access to information on EU financial instruments for environmental improvement.
Figure 1 - Local stakeholders get involved
(Krásná Lípa, Czech Republic, May 2002, Photograph by Tomas Salov) The Sixth Environmental Action Programme (Titled 2010: Our Future, Our Choice) gives a new sense of purpose and direction to the Community’s environmental policy. It clearly sets out the objectives and actions for the next decade and determines the actions that will need to be taken within a 5–10
2 funding_handbook year period if those goals are to be achieved. The new Programme puts forward a series of thematic strategies to tackle persistent environmental problems in seven areas (Air Pollution, Waste Recycling, Soil Protection, Pesticides, Urban Environment, Marine Environment and Resources) and in four priority areas (climate change; nature and biodiversity; environment and health and quality of life; natural resources and waste.)
STRUCTURE OF THE HANDBOOK
The handbook has been constructed on the basis of a series of sheets, one for each financing source or instrument. The sheets are arranged according to which policy area a specific fund addresses. Figure 2 shows the structure of the individual sheets.
Title of instrument Time frame
The legal title of the specific instrument Period of the instrument
General objectives
Overarching strategic objectives of the instrument
Examples of current financing: Actions able to be financed: Examples of current good practice funded by the General thematic actions or activities which may instrument be eligible for funding
Geographic coverage: Eligible organisations
Geographic coverage Where appropriate
Legal basis:
Terms and Conditions:
Contact points: Useful links:
Commission or other contact points Links to other sources of information
Figure 2 - Format of information The sheets are arranged according to the policy areas of the European Union:
− Environmental integration – with financing through the cohesion policy and rural development;
− Core environmental financing;
− Environmental external financing;
3 funding_handbook
− Environmental research financing;
− Environmental financing through the educational, vocational training, culture and youth programmes.
A sheet is also provided on the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund.
4 funding_handbook
ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION
INTRODUCTION
The goal of economic and social cohesion has been one of the Union’s top priorities. By assisting cohesion, the Union’s aim is to encourage across the union, balanced and sustainable economic development, development of employment and human resources, environmental protection and upgrading, the elimination of inequality and the promotion of equal opportunities.
To assist in the goal of cohesion and sustainable development, the European Commission has created financial instruments (the Structural Funds, and the Cohesion Fund) to co-finance regional and sectoral operations in the Member States which fall within the competence of the national governments. The funds are administered on the basis of programming documents which the Member States themselves negotiate with the Commission.
5 funding_handbook
To improve effectiveness three measures were adopted by the Union for the period 2000-2006:
Objective 1 This objective promotes the development and structural adjustment of regions whose development is lagging behind, i.e. whose average per capita GDP is less than 75% of the European Union average.
Objective 2 This objective aims to contribute to the economic and social conversion of regions in structural difficulties other than those eligible for Objective 1. Overall it will cover areas undergoing economic change, declining rural areas, depressed areas dependent on fisheries and urban areas in difficulty.
Objective 3 This objective gathers together all the measures for human resource development outside the regions eligible for Objective 1.
Four types of Structural Fund have been introduced over the years, as the process of building Europe has progressed:
• the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contributes mainly to assisting the regions whose development is lagging behind and those undergoing economic conversion or experiencing structural difficulties (Objectives 1&2);
• the European Social Fund (ESF) mainly provides assistance under the European Employment Strategy (Objectives 1,2 &3);
• the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Guidance Section helps in both the development and the structural adjustment of rural areas whose development is lagging behind, by improving the efficiency of their structures for the production, processing and marketing of agricultural and forest products (Objective 1 and Leader+);
• the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) provides finance for the fisheries sector at different rates according to whether the project takes place within Objective 1 or outside Objective 1 areas. The FIFG rules were modified significantly in December of 2002 when the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy was adopted
There are also so-called Community Initiatives (Interreg, Urban, Leader+ and Equal), and the strengthened “second pillar” of the CAP the rural development policy is an opportunity to finance environmental projects.
Figure 3 - The Structural Funds and Rural Development The following sheets present the details of the funds available relating to cohesion policies.
6 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame COHESION FUND 2000 - 2006
General objectives The Cohesion Fund was set up to enable Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland to catch up in economic terms in the fields of transport and environment. From 2004 the ten new member states will also be eligible. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Strengthening the economic and social Integrated Management of Municipal Waste, cohesion of the Community through the Galicia, Spain. To bring waste tips in this balanced financing of projects, technically and region of Spain in line with European financially independent project stages and legislation, the Cereda Environmental Complex groups of projects forming a coherent whole, in was established. This 42ha site comprises a the fields of the environment and trans- light packaging recycling plant, a plant for European transport infrastructure networks . producing fuel from organic waste, a thermoelectric plant and a combined Studies related to such projects and their heat/power plant to supply the complex itself. implementation, as well as technical support measures such as comparative studies, impact Improvement of Water Quality of Beaches studies, monitoring and, since entry into force in Estoril, Portugal. This project involved the of Regulation (EC) No 1264/1999, publicity implementation of a water collection, treatment and information campaigns. and disposal system to clean up the rivers of All projects financed must be compatible with the region and to encourage tourists back to the Treaties and instruments adopted under the area. them and with Community policies, especially those concerned with protection of the environment, transport, trans-European networks, competition and the award of public contracts. Geographic coverage: Funding is currently available for Spain, Portugal and Greece (Ireland was eligible till the end of 2003). From 2004 the ten new member states will also be eligible. Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No. 1264/1999 of 21 June 1999 amending Council Regulation (EC) No. 1164/94 establishing a Cohesion Fund. Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the terms laid out in Article 10 of the above regulation. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Regional Policy INFOREGIO European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
7 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL GUIDANCE AND 2000 - 2006 GUARANTEE FUND (EAGGF)
General objectives The EAGGF finances the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It covers expenditure for agricultural markets and direct payments to farmers as well as support for rural development. The EAGGF also provides a contribution to veterinary and phyto-sanitary measures and finances actions relating to information on and evaluation of the CAP. Rural development includes measures aimed at improving agricultural structures, the diversification of production and activities, sustainable forest development, the social and economic development of rural areas, environmental protection and the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Many rural development measures include an National rural development environmental dimension. Support for rural development programmes financed under EAGGF: is provided under two sections of the EAGGF: • The Fund's Guarantee Section co-finances rural Evaluation of measures applicable to development measures outside of Objective 1 agriculture: regions and the “accompanying measures” (agri- environment, less favoured areas and areas with environmental restrictions, afforestation, early retirement). • The Guidance Section co-finances all rural development measures which are not included in the Guarantee Section. Geographic coverage: All EU Member States are eligible for EAGGF funding. Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the financing of the Common Agricultural Policy. Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the EAGGF. Terms and conditions: The financial resources required to cover EAGGF expenditure are made available to the Member States by the Commission by means of advances on the provision for expenditure incurred. In effect, the Commission reimburses expenditure incurred (pre-financed) by the Member States. In addition, working capital can be made available to the Member States for the implementation of rural development programmes. See in particular chapter IV (financial provisions)) of Regulation No 1257/1999. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate General Agriculture DG Agriculture European Commission EEAGF B-1049 CAP reform e-mail: [email protected] Rural Development
For country specific information visit the web sites of the relevant government department.
8 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND 2000 - 2006 (ERDF)
General objectives ERDF contributes towards financing the following measures: • productive investment to create and safeguard sustainable jobs; • investment in infrastructure which contributes, in regions covered by Objective 1, to development, structural adjustment and creation and maintenance of sustainable jobs, or, in all eligible regions, to diversification, revitalisation, improved access and regeneration of economic sites and industrial areas suffering from decline, depressed urban areas, rural areas and areas dependent on fisheries. Such investment may also target the development of trans-European networks in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy in the regions covered by Objective 1; • development of the endogenous potential by measures which support local development and employment initiatives and the activities of small and medium-sized enterprises; such assistance is aimed at services for enterprises, transfer of technology, development of financing instruments, direct aid to investment, provision of local infrastructure, and aid for structures providing neighbourhood services; • investment in education and health (only in the context of Objective 1). Actions able to be Examples of previous financing: financed: Frosler- Jardelunder Moor Regeneration Project, Denmark • Development of and Germany. Regeneration of this peat bog following infrastructure to promote discontinuation of peat cutting in the 1960s. The project included regeneration of raising the water table and implementing management in the form economy, (including for of sheep grazing to prevent reinvasion of the site by trees and environment) in shrubs and allowing the bog flora to recolonise. Objective One areas. Regional phytosanitary protection and quality control centre, • Local development, Ioannina, Greece. Development of a centre to monitor the use of employment initiatives plant health products, particularly pesticides and the quality of and actions to enhance fresh and processed plant products to comply with European small and medium-sized standards. This created jobs in a disadvantaged area, whilst enterprises. contributing to human and environmental health.
A nature reserve between tower blocks, Biarritz, France. In the disadvantaged area of La Negresse in the city this project involved the transformation of an areas of waste ground from an illegal rubbish dump into a park with woodland and recreation areas. This has enhanced the area for local people and for tourists. Geographic coverage: Funding available to Objective 1 and 2 regions and regions included in Interreg III and Urban II community initiatives (see separate sheets). Lists of eligible funding regions (including map) Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999 on the European Regional Development Fund [Official Journal L 213, 13.08.1999]. Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Community contribution is dependent on the wealth of the region where the investment is made. Contact Points: Useful links: For general information contact: INFOREGIO Directorate-General for Regional Policy Sustainable regions European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] Contact points for relevant national authorities
9 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND 2000-2006
General objectives • To support measures which prevent and combat unemployment • To promote equality between the sexes in the labour market • To support the European Employment Strategy Actions able to be financed: Examples of current financing: • Programmes to develop or regenerate the Examples of successful ESF projects employability of people in eligible regions. • Local employment initiatives giving assistance to individuals through vocational training, education and careers advice, also through social skills development. • Provision of services and equipment for the care of dependents. Geographic coverage: Regions eligible under objectives 1, 2, 3 and the EQUAL initiative. Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions for Structural Funds. European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 1784/1999 of 12 July 1999 on the European Social Fund Terms and conditions: All projects and organisations must meet the criteria set out in Council Regulation No. 1260/1999. Contact Points: Useful links: The Commission does not directly fund ESF projects so Further information contact should be made through the relevant national ESF authorities. EQUAL initiative Contact addresses
10 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT FOR FISHERIES 2000 - 2006 GUIDANCE
(FIFG) General objectives • To contribute to the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy by supporting structural measures in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, including processing and marketing of products. • To strengthen economic and social cohesion. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: • Decommissioning of vessels and (within certain limits introduced in December 2002) vessel renewal and modernisation. • Creation of protected coastal areas • Fishing port facilities • Processing, marketing and promotional operations • Management of resource/fishing effort e.g. adjustment of fishing capacities. • Redundancy payments and pensions for fishermen retiring early may be eligible for financial contributions • Innovative actions Geographic coverage: All EU Member States are eligible for funding but at different rates of support according to where the project takes place (within or outside objective 1 area). Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector as last amended by regulation (EC) No 2369/2002 of 20 December 2002.. Terms and conditions: National and regional authorities must make a minimum financial contribution. Level of FIFG aid varies according to whether the relevant region is considered objective 1 or not. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Fisheries Visit the Directorate-General for Fisheries European Commission website and download FIFG Instruction for use. B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] National contacts
11 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame INNOVATIVE ACTIONS 2002 - 2006
General objectives The innovative actions of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) are laboratories of ideas for disadvantaged regions. As the opportunities for experimentation are often limited under the main support of the Structural Funds, the innovative actions provide regional actors with the "risk space" needed to respond to the challenges set by the new economy. To prevent even greater divergence and to take the opportunities presented by the new economy to quickly close the gap, the new generation of innovative actions aims specifically to define and implement innovative practices in economic and social development, which, if successful, are likely to improve the quality of the priority programmes of the Structural Funds in regions lagging behind in their development (Objective 1) or undergoing conversion (Objective 2). These opportunities carry greater risk, sometimes even of failure, and they allow the regions to explore more sophisticated ideas which are not approached in the usual context of programmes part-funded by the ERDF. They therefore help them to become more competitive, raise their level of technological competence and create highly-skilled jobs. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing During the period 2002-06, the Innovative Actions programmes comprise measures relating to one or more of the Sustainable Regional Networks following three strategic themes: knowledge-based regional economies and technological innovation;
e-EuropeRegio: the information society and regional development;
regional identity and sustainable development. Geographic coverage: All the regions with areas covered by Objectives 1 or 2 are eligible for innovative action grants. Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999 on the European Regional Development Fund [Official Journal L 213, 13.08.1999]. Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Innovative actions programme proposals must be submitted by the competent regional authorities to the Commission by 31st May each year 2001-2005. Community contribution is dependent on the wealth of the region where the investment is made. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Regional Policy Visit the innovative actions website European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
12 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame INTERREG III 2000 - 2006
General objectives • Overall aim is that national borders should not be a barrier to the balanced development and integration of the European territory. • The new phase aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion, by promoting cross- border trans-national and interregional cooperation and balanced development of the Community territory. • Implementation will be under three strands detailed below. Actions able to be financed: Strand B: Contributing to harmonious Strand A: Promoting integrated regional territorial integration across the Community. development between neighbouring border regions, including external borders and certain Priorities: maritime borders. • Elaborate operational spatial development Priorities: on a trans-national scale, including • Promotion of urban, rural and costal cooperation among cities and between development urban and rural areas, with a view to • Strengthening the spirit of enterprise promoting polycentric and sustainable development. • Developing small and medium-sized enterprises, including those in the tourism • Promote efficient and sustainable sector transport systems and improved access to the information society. • Developing local employment initiatives • Promote the environment and the good • Assistance for labour market integration management of cultural heritage and of and social inclusion natural resources, in particular water • Initiatives for encouraging shared use of resources. human resources, and facilities for Promote integration between maritime research and development, education, • regions and of insular regions, each culture, communication, health and civil through a specific priority with an protection appropriate financial allocation. • Measures for environmental protection, Promote the integrated cooperation of the improving energy efficiency and • outermost regions. renewable energy sources
• Improving transport, information and Strand C: Improving regional development communication networks and services, and cohesion policies and techniques through water and energy systems trans-national/interregional cooperation. • Increasing cooperation in legal and administrative areas Priorities: • Increasing human and institutional Cooperation actions related to specific topics potential for cross-border cooperation to be defined by the Commission, after consulting the Management Committee referred to in Article 48(2) (c) of the General Regulation, e.g. research, technological development and SMEs; information society; tourism, culture and employment; entrepreneurship and environment. Examples of previous financing: Green Benefits for Industries, Austria and Hungary. The “Ecoprofit Vienna-Gyor” cross- border project was set up to facilitate the implementation of environmentally friendly working practices in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to add value to their image.
Europe’s Typical Landscapes, Czech Republic and Germany.
Environmentally friendly and beneficial sheep farming project in an area of the Czech Republic which includes a regional nature reserve.
European subsidy for flood prevention The IRMA programme (Interreg Rhine Meuse Activities) was established after the severe
13 funding_handbook
flooding of the rivers Rhine and Meuse in 1993 and 1995. In order to increase safety and public awareness along the rivers Rhine and Meuse and their major tributaries, and to reduce the chance of flooding and the corresponding damage and loss in the future, the countries in the catchment area of the two rivers - Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - submitted a joint flood control programme to the European Commission within the framework of the INTERREG-IIC initiative. In addition to the EU member states mentioned, Switzerland also participates in the programme at project level. Geographic coverage: Strand A: All NUTS III areas (a sub-national statistical unit), along internal and external borders of the Community, plus certain maritime areas of NUTS III. See map below. Strand B: The EU as a whole is eligible for funding together with neighbouring regions. However regional groups have been set up to facilitate programme development. Strand C: The whole of the Community is eligible. Area maps Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999 on the European Regional Development Fund [Official Journal L 213, 13.08.1999]. Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Community contribution is dependent on the wealth of the region where the investment is made. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Regional Policy Visit the INFOREGIO website European Commission INTERACT B-1049 Brussels INTERREG III e-mail: [email protected]
Contact points for relevant national authorities
14 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame LEADER + 2000 – 2006
General objectives Leader+ is designed to help rural actors consider the long-term potential of their local region. Encouraging the implementation of integrated, high-quality and original strategies for sustainable development, it has a strong focus on partnership and networks of exchange of experience. Leader+ has the role of a laboratory which aims to encourage the emergence and testing of new approaches to integrated and sustainable development that will influence, complete and/or reinforce rural development policy in the Community. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Priorities Directory of Leader+ programmes • Support for pilot integrated territorial development strategies based on a bottom up approach. The most taken up priority theme concerned the best use of natural and cultural resources, including the enhancement of the value of sites. • Support for cooperation between rural territories • Networking of European Union rural areas • Technical assistance Geographic coverage: All Member States are eligible for co-financing Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999 on the European Regional Development Fund [Official Journal L 213, 13.08.1999]. Article 20 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1260/1999 Commission Communication to the Member States 2000/C 139/95 Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Community contribution is dependent on the wealth of the region where the investment is made. Contact Points: Useful links: DG- Agriculture General Agriculture European Commission Leader+ B-1049 Brussels Rural development e-mail: [email protected]
15 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame URBAN II 2000 - 2006
General objectives • To promote the design and implementation of highly innovative strategies of economic and social regeneration in small and medium-sized towns and declining areas in major conurbations • To reinforce and share knowledge and experience on regeneration and sustainable urban development in the European Union. European Network for Exchange of Experience: URBACT URBACT's objectives are to highlight best practices and to draw lessons from successes and weaknesses identified in these programmes. The target group is urban actors from the 216 cities benefiting from the URBAN I and II programmes and Urban Pilot Projects. URBACT consists of two main priorities: • Exchange and dissemination of knowledge. This includes: thematic networks organised by the cities themselves, actions to build the capacity of urban actors, and studies. • The accumulation of knowledge and know-how. This includes a website, the presentation of results, a toolbox and information on illustrative projects. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Priorities URBAN II in Dublin and Cork, Ireland. This • improve living conditions, for example by project aimed to facilitate, among other things, renovating buildings and creating green enterprise development and provision of areas; community infrastructure such as sports • create jobs, for example in environment, facilities, whilst maintaining a balance between culture, and services to the population; economic development, social integration and • integrate the less-favoured social classes environmental measures. into the education and training systems; • develop environmentally friendly public URBAN II Cáceres (Spain): “The greening of transport systems; Cáceres” • create effective energy management The “Edificio Embarcadero” project in the city of systems and make greater use of Cáceres (Extremadura) in the west of Spain renewable energy; aims to convert a disused 3 000 square metre industrial site into a training, leisure and culture use information technologies. • facility for the local community and a workspace for SMEs.
URBAN II Torino (Italy): “Less waste” The project in Turin will pilot a process for sorting household waste by category, with a view to reducing waste and reducing the proportion incinerated. This will involve the setting-up of ecological centres in the URBAN II area in order to inform citizens about waste management and involve them in selective refuse collection. More examples: Brochure “Partnership with the Cities”, The URBAN Community Initiative
URBAN I in Malmo, Sweden. A contribution to a foundation to facilitate business start-up offering education and employment opportunities as well as improving the environment. Geographic coverage: Eligible Areas:
Belgium- Antwerpen, Bruxelles, Sambreville
16 funding_handbook
Denmark- Arhus Germany- Berlin, Bremerhaven, Dessau, Dortmund, Gera, Kassel, Kiel, Leipzig, Luckenwalde, Mannheim-Ludwigshafen, Neubrandenburg, Saarbrücken Greece- Iraklio, Komotini, Perama Spain- Caceres, Gijon, Granada, Jaen, Orense, Pamplona, San Cristobal de la Laguna, San Sebastien (Pasasia), Sant Adria de Besos Teruel France- Bastia, Bordeaux, Clichy-sous-Bois- Montfermeil, Grenoble, Grigny- Viry, Le Havre, Le Mantois, Strasbourg, Val-de-Seine (Les Mureaux) Ireland- Ballyfermot Italy- Carrara, Caserta, Crotone, Genova, Milano, Misterbianco, Mola di Bari, Pescara, Taranto, Torino Netherlands- Amsterdam, Heerlen, Rotterdam Austria- Graz, Wien Portugal- Lisboa, Lisboa- Amadora, Porto- Gondomar Finland- Helsinki- Vantaa Sweden- Goteborg United Kingdom- Belfast, Bristol, Burnley, Clyde Waterfront, Halifax, Hetton & Murton, Normanton in Derby, Peterborough, Stockwell, Thames Gateway, West Wrexham Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds [Official Journal L 161, 26.06.1999]. Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999 on the European Regional Development Fund [Official Journal L 213, 13.08.1999]. Guidelines: Communication from the Commission to the Member States of 28 April 2000 laying down guidelines for a Community Initiative concerning economic and social regeneration of cities and of neighbourhoods in crisis in order to promote sustainable urban development URBAN II [Official Journal C 141, 19.05.2000] Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Community contribution is dependent on the wealth of the region where the investment is made.
Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Regional Policy Inforegio website European Commission Regional policy B-1049 Brussels Urbact website e-mail: [email protected] Urbact.org
URBACT Contact: Ministère délégué à la ville et à la rénovation urbaine 194, avenue du Président Wilson F-93217 Saint-Denis-La Plaine CEDEX Tel.: +33 (0) 1 47 04 11 23 e-mail: [email protected]
17 funding_handbook
CORE ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCING
ENVIRONMENT FUNDING FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
In essence environmental project funding can be thought of as falling into two distinct categories:
Funding within programmes, where proponents of projects will be required to meet specific and pre- set criteria and to design projects to assist in the delivery of the aims and objectives of the programme. Examples of such instruments are the structural funds.
Open calls for proposals, where project proponents have more freedom to design projects that meet objectives set with the context of an environmental need appropriate to the funding call. Environmental research, education and technological innovation are often funded in this way and the LIFE III instrument provides a good example
The Environment DG offers the widest scope for funding environmental projects as detailed in the following sheets. The Environment DG web site contains helpful information on how to obtain funding for your project. The main source of funds operated by the DG is the LIFE III programme, but there is also an annual call for proposals and specific actions for environmental NGOs and civil protection. Full details are available here.
The Environment DG also provides grants and loans to help with certain environmental projects. Full details are available here. Under the nature and biodiversity theme DG Environment have made proposals for a scheme to monitor and safeguard Europe’s forests. Forest Focus aims to offer better protection for forests and to develop awareness of the importance of forests to tour environment.
At this point it is helpful to stress the importance of the environmental strand of sustainable development. In many cases it is heard that the costs of environmental improvement outweigh the advantages and that such principles as the polluter pays are merely additional costs to an economy or an industry or business. This is contrary to the concepts and lessons of sustainable development which show us that investment in the environment is a positive aid to both economic and social development. Investment in environmental capital is a catalyst to advances not in only economic performance but also in human and social capital. This handbook will serve to enhance this belief through providing additional access to environmental funding streams.
18 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame
CIVIL PROTECTION ASSISTANCE INTERVENTIONS Start: 1 January 2002 - Council decision not limited in time Community mechanism to facilitate reinforced co-operation in civil protection assistance interventions
General objectives Reinforce co-operation between the Community and the member states in civil protection assistance intervention in the event of major emergencies, or the imminent threat thereof, which may require urgent response action. The mechanism is intended to help ensure better protection, primarily of people but also of the environment and property, including cultural heritage in the event of major emergencies, i.e. natural, technological, radiological or environmental accidents occurring inside or outside the Community including accidental marine pollution. Actions able to be financed: Examples of current financing:
• Training courses, EU-Response 2002
• Workshops
• Community exercises
• Introduction of new technologies Geographic coverage: Eligible organisations EU Member States Apart from intergovernmental projects, EEA countries national, regional or local authorities, private Candidates Countries firms and other entities may reply under conditions established by the criteria set out in the calls for proposals published in the Official Journal. Moreover, projects in which two or more Member States participate will be encouraged Legal Basis: Council Decision (2001/792/EC, Euratom) of 23 October 2001 establishing a Community mechanism to facilitate reinforced co-operation in civil protection assistance interventions Terms and Conditions Projects are eligible if they comply with the priorities of the Council Decision and its application modalities. Only projects involving all the Member States or a large number of them are eligible. Contact Points: Useful Links: Directorate-General Environment Civil Protection European Commission Vade Mecum on civil protection B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
19 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMME IN THE FIELD 2000-2004 OF CIVIL PROTECTION
General objectives: This programme aims to: • Support and complement the efforts of the Member States at national, regional and local levels, in protecting persons, property and consequently the environment, in the event of natural or technological disasters. • Facilitate cooperation between Member States in this field.
Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing:
Types of action are: • Risk and damage prevention • Increasing preparedness of those involved in civil protection. • Detection and studies of causes of disasters • Improving means of forecasting, including methods and techniques of response and immediate aftercare. • Education and awareness raising to inform the public about the most effective methods of protecting themselves and property. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States are eligible. Mainly governmental organisations, but private firms or other organisations are not excluded if a call for proposals appears in the Official Journal. Legal Basis: Council Decision(EC) No. 1999/847 of 9 December 1999 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection. Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the priorities set out annually by the Management Committee. Only projects involving all Member States or a large number of them are eligible. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for the Environment Civil Protection Funding Opportunities European Commission Community Cooperation in Civil Protection B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] Contact Point
20 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS 2000-2006. Provided that funds are available, calls for proposals may be issued Call for proposals in the field of Media and annually under the General Call Awareness for Proposals.
General objectives: • To improve the information available to the general public and to raise its awareness level in relation to environmental protection. • To create partnerships at a European level and to promote an efficient ecological approach to economic activities. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous There are four priority areas for funding: financing: • Climate Change Awareness campaign on Community measures promoting • Nature and Biodiversity the implementation of the EU • Environment and Health nature conservation legislation, • Natural Resources and Waste SEO/Birdlife- Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia (Spain). This Projects should be aimed at: project aimed at raising • integrating environmental concerns into all relevant awareness of Natura 2000. policy areas; • working closely with business and consumers to ‘Floopie, the flying fish’, a identify solutions; young children’s environmental awareness project, Federal • ensuring better and more accessible information on the Environment Agency (Austria). environment for citizens; • developing a more environmentally conscious attitude The Earth Festival, Ecotopia towards land use. (Greece).This project involved a film festival on eco-tourism, the Specific calls for proposals in 2002 in the field of awareness production of a documentary and raising were: activities by NGOs. • ENV 3.1- Environmental communication and awareness raising projects, providing information on environmental problems and solutions, the concept of sustainable development and its concrete applications and the actions of the EU in these areas. • ENV3.2- European networks active in the field of environmental communication and awareness raising. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States are eligible for funding. All entities able to give evidence of technical ability and experience in the field of environmental communication and awareness raising, specifically environmental stakeholders and regional and local authorities. Legal Basis: Commission Notice to the Member States of 21 March 2003 OJEC 2003/C 68/8. Terms and conditions: The organisations must be eligible under the exclusion criteria set out in the Community’s ‘General Call for Proposals’. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Environment Environment Funding Opportunities European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
21 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR 2002-2006. Calls for proposals will be issued EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL annually. Funding is for one year only ORGANISATIONS (annual operating grants).
General objectives: • To contribute to the development and implementation of Community environmental policy and legislation in different regions of Europe. • To promote the systematic involvement of NGOs at all stages of the Community environmental policy-making process • To contribute to the strengthening of small regional or local associations working to apply the ‘acquis communautaire’ in relation to the environment and sustainable development in their local area.
Priority areas are: • Climate change • Nature and bio-diversity- protecting a unique resource. • Health and environment • Sustainable management of natural resources and waste • Environmental education • Enforcement of Community environmental legislation Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Financial contributions are towards the Coalition Clean Baltic, Sweden. Promotes costs that European environmental NGOs the protection of the environment and natural have to bear in carrying out the activities resources of the Baltic Sea area. provided for in their annual work programme. International Friends of Nature, Austria. Sustainable development and regional ecological development and ecological tourism. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States, associated countries Non-Governmental Organisations (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), Cyprus, Malta and Turkey and the Balkan Countries (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Bosnia- Herzegovina and Croatia). Legal Basis: Parliament and Council Decision (EC) No. 466/2002 of 1 March 2002 laying down a Community Action Programme promoting non-governmental organisations primarily active in the field of environmental protection. Terms and conditions: NGOs must be independent and non-profit making and active in the field of environmental protection and enhancement. They must be active at the European level singly or in conjunction with other associations covering at least three European countries. Activities must meet the Sixth Environmental Action Programme goals. The organisations must be eligible under the exclusion criteria set out in the Community’s ‘General Call for Proposals’. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Environment Financial support for European environmental European Commission organisations B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
22 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame GENERAL CALL FOR 2000-2006. Calls for proposals will be ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSALS issued annually.
General objectives: The aim of this call for proposals is to identify projects, which might be eligible for financial support from Environment DG. The call for proposals occurs annually. Fields in which funding is available are: • Communications and the Civil Society • Climate Change and Energy • Chemicals • Radiation Protection • Enlargement and Neighbouring Countries • Development and Global Biodiversity Actions able to be financed: An example from the Call for Proposals Projects should contribute to the achievement 2003: of the objectives set out for each field listed Field: Enlargement and Neighbouring above. Countries They should fall within the context of a duly Title: Mediterranean Cooperation approved basis in Community law (Directive, Objective: To contribute to the implementation Regulation or Council Decision), or help to of the recommendations of the Mediterranean promote objectives in specific fields. Action Plan’s Mediterranean Commission for sustainable development in key areas- Further details integrated coastal zone management, water demand management, preparation for the for the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade. Actions: Capacity building or practical operational tools, including project preparation and management.
For an more information click here (page 9-10)
Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU member states; candidate countries or Various, dependant on call for proposal. partners may be eligible for certain themes each year. Legal Basis: Commission Notice to the Member States of 21 March 2003 OJEC 2003/C 68/8. Terms and conditions: Requests must be submitted on the basis of the application form, faxed or e-mailed applications, or applications made on behalf of organisations by a third party, will not be accepted. Projects must be non-profit making and must not conflict with Union policies. Projects or phases of projects which have been completed or have already begun will not be accepted. Contact Points: Useful links: Specific contacts General Environment Funding Directorate-General Environment European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
23 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame LIFE III (LIFE- NATURE, LIFE- ENVIRONMENT 2000 - 2004 AND LIFE- THIRD COUNTRIES)
General objectives LIFE III contributes towards financing in three main areas: • LIFE- Nature- To contribute to the implementation of Community nature protection legislation Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the establishment of Natura 2000 network to preserve biodiversity by preserving or restoring habitats of EU importance. • LIFE- Environment- To contribute to the development of innovative techniques and methods for protecting the environment. • LIFE- Third countries- To provide technical assistance to third countries (as named above) in the development of environmental policy and establishment of capacities and admin structures within the environment sector. Actions able to be financed: Examples of current financing: • LIFE- Nature- Projects which contribute Safeguarding Natura 2000 Rivers in the UK to maintaining or restoring natural The beneficiary if this funding is English Nature habitats and/or species populations in who will run this project. The main aim is to favourable conservation status as produce river conservation strategies for the defined by the Habitats Directive. These seven pilot SAC rivers in the UK. projects must concern Special Protection Areas or Sites of Community Interest and the species listed in this Realisation of a sustainable tourism in the Directive. Council of Jesolo, Italy The beneficiary for this project is the Comune di • LIFE- Environment- Innovative projects Jesolo. The main aim is to reduce the in the fields of land use development environmental impact of tourism by application of and planning, water management, the Integrated Product Policy (IPP) model. reduction of the environmental impact of
economic activities, waste management
and reduction of the environmental
impact of products through an integrated product policy. • LIFE- Third countries- Projects which contribute to the implementation of regional and international guidelines and procedures, which promote sustainable development at all levels or which solve major environmental problems in the region concerned. Legal Basis: Council and Parliament Regulation (EC) No. 1655/2000 of 17 July 2000 concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE) which repeals Regulation (EEC) No 1973/92 Terms and Conditions: The projects must comply with criteria set out in the Regulation, Article 3(5) relating to LIFE- Nature, Article 4(6) relating to LIFE- Environment, Article 5(5) relating to LIFE- Third countries and must be selected in accordance with Article 3(7) relating to LIFE- Nature or Article 11 relating to LIFE- Environment and LIFE- Third countries. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: LIFE-Nature and LIFE-Environment: EU LIFE Nature and LIFE Environment- Any countries, candidate countries acceding the natural or legal person established in the EU or EU in 2004 and Romania applicant countries in accordance with conditions set out in the association LIFE-Third Countries: third countries bordering agreements concluded with those countries. the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Gaza LIFE Third Countries- Any natural or legal Strip and West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, person established in a non-member country Russia, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey). bordering the Mediterranean or Baltic Seas.
24 funding_handbook
Contact Points: Useful Links: Directorate-General Environment LIFE Homepage European Commission LIFE Objectives DG ENV.D.1 B-1049 Brussels
National contacts for LIFE-Nature for EU countries and for Candidate Countries
National contacts for LIFE- Environment
National contacts for LIFE-Third countries
25 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame
Start: 1 January 2000 - 31 MARINE POLLUTION December 2006 Community framework for co-operation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution General objectives • To support and supplement Member States’ efforts at national, regional and local levels for the protection of the marine environment and coastlines against the risks of accidental or deliberation pollution at sea;
• To contribute to improving the response capabilities of the Member States in case of oil spills;
• To strengthen mutual assistance and co-operation between Member States in this field; Actions able to be financed: Examples of current financing: A number of projects resulting from the 3 • Training courses & Workshops calls for proposals have taken place. Details on all of these actions • Exercises
• Experts exchange programme
• Conferences
• Pilot projects Geographic coverage: Eligible organisations EU Member States + Norway and Iceland Private firms and other entities may submit proposals under conditions to a call for tender published in the Official Journal. Projects, which involve two or more Member States, will be encouraged. Legal Basis: Decision 2850/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2000 setting up a Community framework for co-operation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution Total budget: 7 million euro. Terms and Conditions Projects must comply with the priorities of the Decision and the terms of its implementation. Contact Points: Useful Links: Directorate-General for the Environment Civil Protection and Environmental European Commission Accidents B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
26 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT 2000 – 2004
Community Framework for Cooperation to Promote Sustainable Urban Development
General objectives • To provide financial and technical support to networks of Local Authorities. • To encourage the conception, exchange and implementation of good practices in the implementation of EU environmental legislation at local level, sustainable urban development and Local Agenda 21. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Part A will consider proposals aimed at: Part A: • information and exchanges of Sustainable consumption in cities, information on sustainable urban Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling development and Local Agenda 21; (Belgium). The project will raise awareness and provide information on waste prevention and • Improvement of environmental quality in recycling. areas where environmental problems
occur alongside socio-economic Part B: problems. EMAS- Peer Review for Cities, Union of Baltic
Cities (Turku, Finland) and partners. The Part B will consider proposals aimed at: project aims to promote the use of Eco • cooperation between partners Management and Auditing Scheme (EMAS) by concerned by sustainable development developing city twinning and peer-review. and Agenda 21 at European level; • supplementing work under national programmes to help Local Authorities; • facilitating dialogue, coordination and exchange of information between networks of Local Authorities at European level; • Supporting the establishment of partnerships including partners from Article 8 countries. Geographic coverage: Eligible Countries: European Union and European Free Trade Networks of Local Authorities comprising Agreement countries including Central and members from at least four EU and EFTA Eastern Europe, Cyprus and Malta and other countries. countries which have concluded association agreements with the community. Legal Basis: Council and Parliament Decision (EC) No 1411/2001 of the 27 June 2001 on a Community Framework for cooperation to promote sustainable urban development. Terms and conditions: Applications must be from networks of Local Authorities organised in at least four EU and EFTA countries. They may also include those countries listed above. Projects will be selected according to Article 7 of the Decision. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Environment Environment Funding Opportunities European Commission Funding Guidelines B-1049 Brussels Tel: 32 2 295 7195 e-mail: [email protected]
27 funding_handbook
ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNAL FINANCING
INTRODUCTION
After successfully growing from 6 to 15 members, the European Union is now preparing for its biggest enlargement ever in terms of scope and diversity. 13 countries have applied to become new members: 10 of these countries - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia are set to join on 1 May 2004. There are currently know by the term "acceding countries". Bulgaria and Romania should to do so by 2007. Turkey has also applied for membership.
The EU assists these countries in taking on EU laws, and provides a range of financial assistance to improve their infrastructure and economy.
In order to help the countries that have applied to become members of the European Union to carry out the reforms required, the Union is providing financial assistance in different areas. As far as the candidates from central and eastern Europe are concerned, these include institutional building measures through the ‘PHARE’ programme; environment and transport investment support under the ISPA programme; and agricultural and rural development support by means of the ‘SAPARD’ programme.
From the 1 May 2004 the 10 new member states will be eligible for the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund. Romania and Bulgaria will still have access to PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD.
28 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame ASIA PRO ECO 2001-2006
General objectives: The three main objectives are: • to improve environmental quality in Asia- the development and adoption of less-polluting and more resource efficient products, processes and services in the Asia region, especially in the waste and water sectors, including a positive influence on global change and health conditions; • to improve environmental solutions and to build Asia’s institutional and technical capacity that helps to tackle such change; • to encourage practical cooperation between Asia and the EU in the exchange and application of environmental policies, technologies and practices which promote economic prosperity and a better quality of life. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous The programme consists of 5 main categories of activities: financing: 1. Diagnostic Studies- Industry Benchmarking and Best Under the first deadline of 8 Practices (BBP) scheme, surveys, pre-competitive situation January 2003, 10 projects have analyses, EIAS (Environmental Impact Assessments) and been approved for grant co- other diagnostic research work aimed at documenting funding for three components of environmental market information. the Asia Pro Eco Programme 2. Technology Partnership- training courses, training (diagnostic activities, material, seminars, workshops, specialised publications, technological partnerships and technology co-operation and contacts, technology promotion demonstration projects). and pavilions; 3. Demonstration Activities - feasibility studies, For details on the individual implementation of demonstration projects with a view to projects, please click here transferring advanced technologies. 4. Operational and Practical Dialogue-organisation of conferences in combination with studies and guidelines in The next Call for Proposals of order to identify and briefly analyse specific Asian the Asia Pro Eco Programme is environmental problems to be addressed and debated during expected to be published in both these conferences. the Official Journal of the 5. Policy Reinforcement- provision of technical assistance European Communities and the to Governmental Authorities of the least developed countries Asia Pro Eco web site before the in the field of environmental policy making, which aims to end of this year (likely in help Asia’s institutional and technical capacity to implement November 2003). more sustainable and resource-efficient solutions. The 2004 Call for Proposals will cover three out of the five Asia Priority will be given to projects related to Water Pro Eco Programme Management, Air Pollution and Climate Change, and components namely "Diagnostic Water Management. Activities, Technology Other subject areas can be: Land Degradation, Partnerships and Demonstration Deforestation, Loss of Biodiversity. Projects" and deadlines for submitting applications are likely to be in March and October 2004 Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: EU Member States and the following Asian Non-profit making organisations from private and Countries or Territories: Afghanistan, public sectors such as: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, East Chambers of Commerce, Non-Governmental Timor, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Organisations, National and Regional Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Authorities, Research Institutes and Universities Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. and Industrial and Environmental Organisations. Legal Basis: Council Regulation (CEE) No. 443/92 of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic co-operation with the developing countries of Asia and Latin America, notably articles 7, 8 and 11 in correlation with articles 14 and 15. Terms and conditions:
29 funding_handbook
The programme is only open to non-profit making organisations. Funding will be in the form of grants and co-financing and must be applied for through calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Applications must originate from a consortium of an Applicant and at least two partners comprising at least two partners from different EU Member States and at least one partner from eligible Asian countries. Contact Points: Useful links: EuropeAid Co-operation Office EuropeAid European Commission Asia Pro Eco Programme B-1049 Brussels Asia Pro Eco Objectives e-mail: europeaid-asia-pro- [email protected]
30 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame ASIA URBS 1998-2005 In 2004 calls for proposals will have deadlines in March and June General objectives: The overall objectives of this programme are: • to strengthen EU participation in the socio-economic development of Asian countries through support to Asian authorities in applying and developing appropriate policies; • to enhance understanding and cooperation between European and Asian local communities.
The programme also intends: • to create durable links between European and Asian local communities through the implementation of projects jointly submitted by EU and Asian local authorities; • to provide capacity building for Local Government; • to involve Civil Society in decision-making; • to encourage an approach to urban management in a sustainable way- environmentally, socially and economically. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Areas of cooperation within this programme are: ECOLOCAL - Environmental and • Urban Management - municipal finance and Industrial Policies: A Know-how taxation, development of legislation, land use Exchange between Local planning etc. Administrations, Tamil Nadu (India) Tuscany (Italy) and • Urban Socio-economic Development - job Castilla-La-Mancha (Spain). creation, enterprise development etc.
• Urban Environment - conservation of historic buildings, waste management, water sanitation, Managing Air Quality and Health pollution control, etc. in the Urban Environment • Urban Social Infrastructure - community health (MAQHUE), Chaing Mai, Thailand care, developing local transport, neighbourhood with the London Borough of Barnet, services, education initiatives, etc UK and Barcelona, Spain. • Demonstration - This component remains largely as in Phase I, with grants available for Study and Pilot projects but now they are also available for See also the Asia Urbs UPDATE Follow-on Projects. Only two partners are now newsletter necessary for studies. Grants or Follow-on Projects have been designed to build on a successful aspect of a previous Development Project meriting further collaboration and depth. • Networking and capacity building - Projects in this component are open to both local government and non-local govt. organisations e.g. municipal associations, networks (with HQs in an eligible country), urban institutes, universities, etc. A partnership of three is still required. Objectives can be to:
- Identify and share solutions through thematic, national or regional workshops and conferences - Initiate a broad dialogue for Asian communities improve access to know-how and international assistance (including liaison with European initiatives and programmes) - Seek and finding appropriate partners for decentralised co-operation - Improve capacities of local governments to identify, formulate and manage projects
31 funding_handbook
All projects should aim to improve the quality of life for those in urban areas, whilst also considering sustainability, replicability, environmental soundness, gender awareness and clear exchange of knowledge and experience between partners. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU member states and in 17 countries in Asia Partnerships of local municipal (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China*, Indonesia, authorities. India, LAO PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam) High rate grants are available for projects in least developed *Not including Hong Kong and Macau countries Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America. Terms and conditions:
Funding will be available for pilot projects to be carried out by partnerships of local municipal authorities from eligible countries in Asia and the EU. Each application must include at least 2 local authorities from the EU and 1 from Asia. The Community contribution will be up to 65% of the total cost of an urban pilot project, not exceeding €500,000 per project. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate General- Aidco Asia Urbs European Commission EuropeAid Co-operation Office B-1049 Brussels
e-mail: [email protected]
European Commission EuropeAid Co-operation Office Asia Urbs Programme Loi 41 1/20 B-1049 Brussels, Belgium Tel +32-(0)2-298 47 31 Fax +32-(0)2-299 10 62
e-mail : [email protected]
32 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame BORDER REGIONS – PILOT PROJECTS 2002 - 2006
Pilot Programme on the Impact of Enlargement in the Border Regions of the EU
General objectives
The objective of the overall Programme is to improve the competitiveness of EU regions bordering the Candidate and Accession countries by supporting initiatives in three areas:
Strengthen access to support services for entrepreneurs of small and medium sized businesses, in particular small, micro and sole proprietorship businesses, and facilitate their inter-regional and cross border co-operation. Qualify, re-train and increase occupational and geographical mobility of those potentially and currently working in small and medium sized businesses of sectors affected by enlargement, in particular the most vulnerable groups such as unskilled workers. Improve the capacity of regional and local authority administrations to develop and manage sustainable cross border networks in the areas of youth, education, culture, health, social affairs, environment and civil protection, energy, transport and consumer protection including the organisation of people to people activities in these areas (i.e. local community or neighbourhood actions). Specific Actions
Within this context, three Calls for Proposal were launched in September 2003 with the following objectives:
1. Regional Partnership Events for Micro-enterprises in EU Regions Bordering the Candidate Countries: the Programme will support the organisation and implementation of regional partnership events for SMEs that: i) foster co-operation and contacts between EU and Candidate Country SMEs to help them establish long-term business relations, and identify market opportunities and specialisation possibilities arising from the process of enlargement of the EU;
ii) stimulate the use and access of support services for SMEs, especially for small and micro businesses and sole proprietorships;
iii) focus the use and access of support services on sectors that are most likely to be affected by the process of enlargement such as labour intensive services with a limited geographical outreach, business services, manufacturing, construction, tourism, transport and communication, and wholesale and retail trade;
iv) promote financing, marketing and sales-related support services, with a view to enabling SMEs, especially small and micro business owners and managers and sole proprietors, to take advantage of market opportunities arising from enlargement; v) promote the provision of information on the regulatory environment at local level, in particular legal environmental obligations, and identify co-operation possibilities between EU and Candidate Country SMEs, principally small and micro business owners and managers and sole proprietors.
2. Qualification Initiatives for Vulnerable Labour Force in EU Regions Bordering the Candidate Countries: the Programme will support the organisation and implementation of qualification programmes that:
33 funding_handbook
i) focus on most vulnerable groups, in particular unskilled workers;
ii) focus on occupational mobility for sectors that will be particularly affected by enlargement i.e. in particular labour intensive sectors;
iii) promote important areas where regions can gain competitive advantages and create new sources of employment, inter alia in the area of environmental protection; iv) develop links between educational institutions and the business community.
3. Cross Border Initiatives for Local and Regional Authorities in EU Regions Bordering the Candidate Countries: the Programme will support the promotion of projects that:
i) help local/regional authorities and their personnel to obtain skills necessary to develop and implement cross border structures;
ii) institutionalise contacts and support sustainable cross border structures with municipalities and regional authorities in the candidate countries in various determined fields;
iii) foster cross-cultural understanding between regions in the border through the implementation of people-to-people activities. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: • In 2003, € 15.64 million in total has been Information on the 2001 Action made available to support initiatives on the impact of enlargement. Regional The Commission co-financed a broad-based Partnership Events for Micro-enterprises SME project entitled "Growing Together with - € 6 million Europe". A network of 28 Chambers of Commerce located in the border regions. The • Qualification Initiatives for Vulnerable project, which has a duration of 40 months, Labour Force - € 5 million comprises three main components: information, qualification and promotion of cross-border co- • Cross Border Initiatives for Local and operation. Regional Authorities - € 4.64 Information on the 2002 Actions In addition, a Call for Proposal concerning an Enlargement Programme for SMEs ("Pan In 2002, € 20 million was made available. € 2 European Business Co-operation Scheme for million was used for the implementation of SMEs in the Framework of Enlargement") was measures in favour of young people under the also launched, with a total budget of € 6 Commission's Youth Programme. For the million. remaining € 18 million, the Commission launched the following three Calls for Proposals:
1. Regional Partnership Events for SMEs in EU Regions Bordering the Candidate Countries
Results: Grant Contracts Awarded
2. Employment and Socio-cultural Events in EU Regions Bordering the Candidate Countries
Results: Grant Contracts Awarded
3. Cross Border Initiatives between Local and Regional Authorities in EU Regions Bordering the Candidate Countries Results: Grant Contracts Awarded
34 funding_handbook
Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: Activities must take place in EU border Regional Partnership Events for Micro- regions from the following list: enterprises: Organisations representing micro, Finland: Etelä-Suomi, Uusimaa small and sole proprietorship businesses; sectoral organisations and federations; and Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto business support service providers located in Greece: Anatoliki Makedonia -Thraki, Kentriki an EU Member State Makedonia, Kriti, Notio Aigaio, Voreio Aigaio Qualification Initiatives for Vulnerable Labour Austria: Burgenland, Kärnten, Force: Social partners, educational institutions, Niederösterreich, Oberösterreich, Steiermark, vocational training centres and universities Wien located in an EU Member State
Germany: Berlin, Brandenburg, Chemnitz, Cross Border Initiatives: Local authorities or Dresden, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, administrations, regional authorities or Niederbayern, administrations, municipalities or association of Oberfranken, Oberpfalz municipalities located in an EU Member State Legal Basis: B 5 3003 (2003) – Preparatory Actions on the Impact of Enlargement in the Border Regions of the EU Terms and conditions: Applications must be submitted using the standard application form attached to the Guidelines for Applicants mentioned below. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Enlargement Guidelines for Applicants European Commission Border Regions B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] .
35 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame CO-FINANCING WITH NGOS 2000 onwards. Calls for proposals are issued annually. General objectives: The overall objective of this financial instrument is to reduce poverty through support for disadvantaged people in developing countries to meet their basic needs, to improve their quality of life and reinforce their own development capacities.
Secondary objectives aim to raise public awareness in Europe of development problems in developing countries with the aim of mobilising public support for development strategies and operations which will benefit disadvantaged peoples of developing countries. This instrument also aims to reinforce cooperation between NGOs from Member States and between NGOs from Member States and the Community Institutions. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Actions addressing the following: Support for sustainable agriculture, • local social and economic development in marketing/commercialisation and capacity rural and urban areas; building with small farmers, Honduras, Oxfam. • development of human resources by means
of training and institutional support for local Rural development and cross-border co- partners in developing countries; operation - towards a peaceful and dynamic • strengthening civil society and participatory environment in the Ferghana Valley development, and the promotion and (Tajikistan, Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan), defence of human rights and democracy; Agence d’aide a la coopération et au • role of women in development; développement. • sustainable development; • protection of threatened cultures; Drought cycle management in the Greater Horn of Africa, a learning, documenting and • protection and improvement of capacity building project in Ethiopia, Kenya, circumstances and rights of children in South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. developing countries. Stichting Cordaid. Public awareness operations should focus on: • highlighting the interdependence of the Lists of further projects Member States and the developing countries seeking to mobilise support for more equitable North-South relations; • encouraging cooperation between NGOs; • enabling partners in the developing countries to play an active part. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States. NGOs from one or more Member States in a consortium, network or alone. Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) No. 1658/98 of 17 July 1998 on co-financing operations with European non-governmental development organisations (NGOs) in the fields of interest to the developing countries. Terms and conditions: Community contribution will be in the form of co-financing grants. The NGO must satisfy the conditions outlined in the above Council Regulation. Contact Points: Useful links: NGOs and Decentralisation Cooperation Co-Financing with NGO’s EuropeAid Cooperation Office European Commission B-1000 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
36 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 2000-2006- Calls for proposals are issued annually. Full integration of the environmental dimension in Development Process in Developing Countries
General objectives: The general aim of this financial instrument is to support developing countries in their efforts to integrate the environmental dimension into their development process. To achieve this, the Community shall provide financial assistance and appropriate expertise to establish and support the implementation of, policies, strategies, tools and technologies for the pursuit of sustainable development. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: • support for the drawing up of national, regional and local policies, plans and strategies, programmes and projects for sustainable development; • schemes to build up the institutional and operational capacities of actors in the development process, i.e. government, non-governmental organisations, private sector, civil society, indigenous peoples, at national, regional and local level; • pilot projects in the field including those involving environmentally-sound technologies adapted to local constraints and needs; • the promotion of trade in products that have been produced in a sustainable manner; • the creation of instruments for sustainable development, inter alia, trade-related instruments such as labelling and certification schemes and green trade initiatives; • the formulation of guidelines, operating manuals and instruments aimed at promoting sustainable development and environmental integration in particular in the form of public databases and databanks on the internet (open to the public); • information campaigns on hazardous substances, and toxic waste and pesticides in particular; • support for the development and application of environment assessment tools in the preparation and implementation of policies, strategies, programmes and projects; • raising awareness of local populations and key actors in the development process and development cooperation with regard to the implications of sustainable development, in particular through information campaigns and training; • inventory, accounting and statistical.
37 funding_handbook
Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States and developing countries may be International organisations, States, beneficiaries. regions and regional bodies, decentralised departments, public agencies, private operators and industries, cooperatives, local communities, non-governmental organisations and associations representing local people, in particular forest dependent people. Legal Basis: European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 2493/2000 of 7 November 2000 on measures to promote the full integration of the environmental dimension in the development process of developing countries. Terms and conditions: Activities must meet the criteria set out in Regulation (EC) No. 2493/2000. Contact Points: Useful links: EuropeAid Co-operation Office EU Regulation on the integration of environment in European Commission the development process B-1049 Brussels Sustainable Development and Environment e-mail: [email protected]
38 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame ISPA 2000 - 2006
General objectives ISPA is one of the three financial instruments (with PHARE and SAPARD) to assist the Central and Eastern European candidate countries in their preparation for accession. (Introduction to pre-accession strategy). Established on the basis of a Commission proposal in the Agenda 2000 to enhance economic and social cohesion in the candidate countries of central & eastern Europe for the period 2000-6, ISPA is designed to address environmental and transport infrastructure priorities identified in the Accession Partnerships. Over the period from 2000 to 2006, a total of € 1 040 million a year (in 1999 prices) is made available for major infrastructure projects in the field of environment and transport (50% each). Actions to be financed: Examples of previous ISPA funded actions can be Candidate countries submit project found here proposals relating to the two sectors eligible under ISPA. The Environment: Constanta Sewerage and Wastewater projects must be part of national Treatment Rehabilitation ISPA sector strategies adopted by the candidate countries and Pollution of the Black Sea and coastal areas near endorsed by the Commission. Constanta, a major international seaport and Romania’s second largest city (425 000 inhabitants), causes serious There are three areas of environmental problems. Due to a lack of wastewater assistance: treatment capacity, most of the sewage is either discharged to local surface water or dumped into the 1. The environment - bringing the Black Sea. By modernising its wastewater facilities up to applicants up to EU standards European standards, Constanta will be endowed with a particularly with regard to drinking wastewater system that meets the basic hygienic and water, wastewater, waste environmental requirements of modern cities. In addition, management and air pollution. improved quality of the coastal waters will help to promote ISPA concentrates on the tourism. The project is co-financed with the EBRD ‘investment heavy’ EU directives. (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) which has provided a loan for about 20% of the total 2. Transport - modernising and project cost of € 96.6 million. The ISPA grant covers 75% expanding the trans-European of the costs. transport networks in the applicant countries and linking them to the Transport: Modernisation of the E-20 Railway Line on Union's transport networks. Section Mińsk Mazowiecki – Siedlce:
3. Technical assistance - related to The project consists of the rehabilitation and upgrading to project preparation and international standards of a section of a 52 km long double- implementation and to financial track and electrified railway stretch of the E-20 railway line management and control. situated on the pan-European transport corridor n° II linking Berlin to Warsaw and, beyond, to Mińsk (Byelorussia) and to Moscow. It will facilitate the exchange of persons and goods between the European Union and Poland, on the one hand, and between Byelorussia and Russia, on the other hand. The ISPA grant covers 75% of the investment cost of € 124.6 million. Geographic coverage: Following the accession of 8 ISPA beneficiary countries in 2004, Bulgaria and Romania will remain the only countries eligible for ISPA. Upon accession, the new Member states will benefit from assistance from the Cohesion Fund (€ 8.5 billion (in 2004 prices) for the period 2004-2006). Legal Basis: Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1267/1999 of 21 June 1999 establishing an Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession (ISPA) Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the national ISPA sector strategies and with Community legislation. ISPA grants can amount to up to 75% of eligible expenditure. 39 funding_handbook
Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Regional Policy Introduction to ISPA European Commission ISPA Brochure B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
40 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame MEDA II 2000/2006
(Financial and technical measures to accompany the reform of economic and social structures in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership).
General objectives: To provide financial support to the European Union's Mediterranean policy as defined in the Barcelona Declaration of 1995. The main aims are: • to support economic transition; • to develop better socio-economic balance; • to foster regional integration; • to gradually create a euro-Mediterranean free trade area. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: The actions undertaken within the framework of MEDA Tourism development and concerns the following sectors of intervention: preservation of cultural heritage.
for the economic and financial sector: Bethlehem solid waste project, West • support for the economic transition including Bank and Gaza Strip. improvement of infrastructures, strengthening of socio-economic balance, such as support for privatisation and structural and sectoral Oil Pollution Combating Centre at the adjustment programmes or projects to encourage entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt external investment; • projects relating to cooperation in customs matters; • the setting up of innovative and trade centres, the improvement of competitiveness, modernisation and restructuring of administrations; • projects relating to the modernisation of education; • projects relating to public health or the improvement of vocational training in certain sectors, or of specific categories of the population; • regional programmes relating to a wide variety of themes, including the audiovisual media, the cultural heritage and exchanges of young people. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: EU Member States and of the 12 State and regional authorities, regional Mediterranean Partners (Algeria, Cyprus, organisations, public agencies, local or Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, traditional communities, non-governmental Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the organisations, private operations, cooperatives, Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West mutual societies, associations and foundations. Bank. Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC) N° 1488/96 of 23 July 1996 amended on 27 November 2000 by the Council Regulation (EC) N° 2698/2000, usually called MEDA II. Terms and conditions: Contracts are open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons of the EU Member States and the countries and territories of the regions covered and/or allowed by the Council Regulation governing the MEDA programme under which a given contract is being financed. Invitations to tender and contract are open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons in the Member States and the Mediterranean partners. Community financing will be mainly in the form of grants.
41 funding_handbook
Contact Points: Useful links: EuropeAid Cooperation Office EuropeAid Cooperation Office European Commission EuropeAid Tender and Grants Process B-1049 Brussels The MEDA system e-mail: [email protected]
42 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame PHARE 2000 - 2006
General objectives The PHARE programme is one of the three pre-accession instruments financed by the European Communities to assist the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe in their preparations for joining the European Union In 2000 - 2006, PHARE is providing some €11 billion of co-financing for institution building support through "twinning" and technical assistance and for investment support to help candidate countries in their efforts:
1. To strengthen their public administrations and institutions to function effectively inside the Union.
2. To promote convergence with the European Community’s extensive legislation and reduce the need for transition periods.
3. To promote economic and social cohesion. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing The PHARE Programme focuses on two main priorities: of PHARE actions found here
1. Institution Building meaning adapting and strengthening democratic institutions, public administration and organisations that have a responsibility in implementing and enforcing Community legislation
2. Investment Support taking two forms: investment to strengthen the regulatory infrastructure needed to ensure compliance with the acquis (now complemented) and co-financing of investment in economic and social cohesion.
Specific actions financed under PHARE are determined via the Accession Partnership of each respective country.
Geographic coverage: The candidate countries of the European Union. Legal Basis: Luxembourg European Council (1997) launched the present enlargement process. Allowing PHARE funds to focus entirely on the pre-accession priorities highlighted in each country’s Accession Partnership. Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Enlargement History of the PHARE programme European Commission PHARE Brochure B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
43 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame SAPARD 2000 - 2006
General objectives SAPARD aims to help candidate countries in Central and Eastern Europe deal with the problems of the structural adjustment in their agricultural sectors and rural areas, as well as in the implementation of the acquis communautaire concerning the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) and related legislation.
Its main feature is that it only finances agricultural and rural development measures. SAPARD has an annual budget of € 520 million (at 1999 prices) Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing of SAPARD actions found here. SAPARD can provide funding for the following measures: • investment in agricultural holdings; • improvements to methods for processing and marketing agriculture and fishery products; • veterinary and plant health controls, food quality and consumer protection; • promotion of production methods that protect the environment and conserve rural heritage; • diversifying economic activities and developing alternative sources of income; • farm relief services and farm management services; • setting up producer groups; • village renewal and conservation of rural heritage; • land improvement and reparcelling; • updating land registers; • vocational training; • improvement of infrastructure in rural areas; • management of water resources for agriculture; • forestry and farm woodland projects, investment in private forest holdings, processing and marketing of forest products; • technical assistance (studies, monitoring, information, publicity campaigns). Geographic coverage: The candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Following the accession of 8 beneficiary countries in 2004, Bulgaria and Romania will remain the only countries eligible for SAPARD. Upon accession, the new Member states will benefit from assistance from the EAGGF Funds. Legal Basis: Article 2 of Council Regulation 1268/1999 (pdf ) As amended here: (pdf) Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Agriculture SAPARD Brochure European Commission Annual implementation reports B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
44 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame SMAP 2002 - 2006
General objectives The Short and Medium-term Priority Environmental Action Programme (SMAP) is a framework programme of action for the protection of the Mediterranean environment, within the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. It was adopted unanimously by the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on the Environment, held in Helsinki on the 28 November 1997 and reconfirmed through the Athens Declaration of Euro-Med Environment Ministers in July 2002.
The SMAP is the common basis for environmental purposes (as regards both policy orientation and funding) in the Mediterranean region. Therefore, it is understood that :
• environmental integration needs to be pursued further in the context of the Euro- Mediterranean Partnership
• efforts need to be concentrated at both national and regional levels;
• coherence and synergies need to be ensured with existing multilateral programmes and legal instruments, while respecting the specificity of each forum;
• transparency and broad public support of the SMAP, including from civil society, need to be secured in view of ensuring its full implementation;
SMAP operates on two main levels:
• Coordination among Euro-Mediterranean governments, the European Commission, Mediterranean international organisations and funding institutions as well as NGOs for the achievement of the above goals in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
• Funding of environment projects in cooperation with the MEDA Regional Environment Programme Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing of SMAP actions found here The SMAP foresees five priority fields, with the following Conservation and Management of indicative urgent actions under each one of them: Biodiversity Hot-Spots: Developing a 1. Integrated Water Management Mediterranean Network Water quality, safe drinking water, water conservation, water losses, decentralised authorities, management of Mediterranean Urban Waste water resources. Management Programme 2. Integrated Waste Management South eastern Mediterranean Water National plans, data bases, effective waste Community management, statistical methodologies and national Programmes waste inventories, waste disposal methods, waste reduction, re-use and recycling. 3. Hot Spots Environmental plans for the integrated management of highly polluted urban areas, emergency programmes and management of biodiversity and of natural resources. 4. Integrated Coastal Zone Management Sustainable urban and industrial development, sustainable development of tourism areas, conservation and management of biodiversity, reduction and control of marine and coastal litter. 5. Combating Desertification Maintaining or promoting sustainable agriculture practices, combating forest fires, erosion and sand dunes deposit.
45 funding_handbook
Geographic coverage: As regards any EU funding for activities undertaken by the Mediterranean Partners, the major financial instrument for the implementation of the SMAP is the MEDA Programme, covering EU Member States and of the 12 Mediterranean Partners (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank Legal Basis: The Euro-Mediterranean, Conference which was held in Barcelona in November 1995, adopted a Declaration establishing a new Partnership between the European Union and 12 Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Partners (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Malta and the Palestinian Authority). Terms and conditions: Projects must comply with the programme adopted by the Commission in agreement with the national authorities. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Environment SMAP Homepage European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
46 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame TACIS 2000 - 2006
General objectives
The TACIS Programme provides grant-financed technical assistance to 12 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia and mainly aims at enhancing the transition process in these countries. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Priorities The Tacis Environment Awareness Raising • Institutional, legal and administrative reform; Programme for Ukraine,Russia, Moldova and • Private sector and economic development; Belarus, • Consequences of changes in society, infrastructure networks; • Environmental protection; • Rural economy; • Nuclear safety. Geographic coverage: Eligible Areas: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 99/2000 of 29 December 1999 Terms and conditions: Assistance under TACIS is based on National Strategy Papers, established for a period of five to seven years. They define the long-term objectives for cooperation and identify the strategic priorities and the specific fields of action. Multi-annual Indicative Programmes, usually for three years, based on the strategy papers, are drawn up for each country. They contain a description of sectoral and cross-cutting issues, specific objectives and expected results. Annual or biennial action programmes, based on the multi-annual indicative programmes, set out as precisely as possible, for a given programming period, the aims being pursued, the fields of action, a list of cooperation activities and available budgets. In parallel with the bilateral approach, a Tacis Regional Strategy/Indicative Programme addresses areas where cooperation among the countries of the region is most important, including, inter alia, the environment, trade and transport, Justice and Home Affairs-related issues as well as cross-border cooperation. In particular situations, financing decisions covering specific cooperation measures not included in annual or biennial action programmes may be drawn up. This is the case for specific contributions to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund and the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership. Small projects programmes: There are two separate calls for proposals for small projects; the Small Projects programme( which is for the Western and North Western NIS border regions) and the Institution Building Partnership Programme. Both operate with an annual call for proposals, and each has a web site. See the indicative programme.
Once identified and agreed by the Member States, technical assistance projects are put out to public tenders, open to organisations from the EU as well as from accession countries and Tacis beneficiary states. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for External Relations External Relations European Commission EuropeAid Cooperation Office B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
EuropeAid Co-operation Office (Aidco) European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected]
47 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame TROPICAL FOREST MANAGEMENT 2000-2006- Calls for proposals are issued annually. Conservation and Sustainable Management of Tropical and Other Forests in Developing Countries
General objectives: To promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries so as to meet the economic, social and environmental demands placed on forests at local, national and global levels. This will be achieved through: • raising the status of forests in national policies and integrating forest policies based on sustainable forest management in development planning; • promoting the production and use of wood and non-wood forest products from sustainably managed resources; • contributing to the adequate valuation of forest resources and services; • ensuring active participation of forest-dependent people and local communities in the development of national forest policies and in development planning; • improving coordination and the flow of information between Commission and Member States projects so as to put in place coherent actions in that area. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: The activities to be carried out shall address in particular: • development of appropriate national and international forest policy frameworks based on realistic valuation of forests, which include land use planning, equitable trade in sustainably produced forest products, legal and fiscal measures, institution building, support to the private sector and support to self-development of forest-dependent people to shape their own social, economic and cultural development. These shall take into account other sectoral policies which have an impact on forests and the interests and customary rights of forest- dependent people; • conservation and restoration of forests which are considered to be of importance due to their high ecological value, in particular their value for the preservation of biodiversity, or due to their local and global impacts, such as the protection of hydrographic basins, the prevention of soil erosion, or of climate change; • sustainable forest management and utilisation to provide economic, social and environmental benefits and including, inter alia, forest certification - taking account of the different management conditions for small and large forest areas - and environmentally sound harvesting of both wood and non-wood forest products and natural and assisted forest regeneration; • economic viability of sustainable forest management through more efficient utilisation of forest products and technical improvements of downstream activities related to the forest sector such as small and medium scale processing and marketing of wood and non-wood forest
48 funding_handbook
products, the sustainable use of wood as an energy source and the promotion of alternatives to agricultural practices based on forest clearing; • knowledge and information generation and management concerning forest services and products, in order to provide a sound scientific basis for the activities listed above. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States and developing countries may International organisations, States, be beneficiaries. regions and regional bodies, decentralised departments, public agencies, private operators and industries, cooperatives, local communities, non-governmental organisations and associations representing local people, in particular forest dependent people. Legal Basis: European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 2494/2000 of 7 November 2000 on measures to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries. Terms and conditions: Activities must meet the criteria set out in Regulation (EC) No. 2494/2000. Contact Points: Useful links: EuropeAid Co-operation Office Funding opportunities for “tropical Forests” and European Commission “Environment in Developing Countries” Sustainable B-1049 Brussels Development and Environment e-mail: [email protected]
49 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame URB-AL- LOCAL URBAN Second Stage- 2001-2006 DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
General objectives: The general objectives of this programme are: • to develop direct and lasting links between European and Latin American local communities through the dissemination, acquisition and application of the best practice in the urban policy field. Specifically: • to help local communities play a more active role in the social, economic and cultural development of urban areas, including by putting public amenities into operation; • to develop the structural capabilities of local authorities, among others by training human resources; • to promote partnerships between local communities and representatives of civil society; • to increase the capabilities for action of small and medium-sized towns (SMT) within the internationalisation of their relations context; • to promote the ‘best practice’ in European and Latin American local development, whilst respecting local distinctiveness. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: Themes of the programme are: Implementation of a Drug Information • Drugs and towns System in Alcaldía de Medellin – Colombia. Part of the “Drugs and towns” thematic • Conservation of historic urban contexts network coordinated by Santiago de Chile • Democracy in towns (Chile). • The town as a promoter of economic development Consultation as a mechanism for • Urban social policies enhancing urban democracy in • Urban environment Municipalidad de Quetzaltenango - Guatemala. Part of the “Democracy in • Management and control of urbanisation towns” thematic network coordinated by Issy- • Control of urban mobility les-Molineaux (France) • Local finance and participative budgets • The fight against urban poverty Promoting health: a means for active citizenship in Municipalidad Distrital de • Urban housing Moro - Peru. Part of the “Urban environment” • Promoting the role of women in local thematic network coordinated by Malaga decision-making bodies (Spain). • Towns and the information society • Citizen’s safety in towns More information about URB-AL projects
There are two types project the Thematic Network and Joint Projects. Thematic network- each of the above themes will be the subject of a single thematic network coordinated by a single local community. Joint Projects- allow an issue of joint concern to be explored in greater depth within a thematic network. Geographic coverage: Eligible Countries: All EU member states and the 18 countries of Local authorities, urban agglomerations, Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, provinces or regions in full member states Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, and other parties working within the urban Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, sector. Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela).
50 funding_handbook
Legal Basis: Council Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America. Terms and conditions: Thematic networks must have at least 50 members and no more than 200 participants (local authorities). Joint projects must have at least 5 members and no more than 15 with a 2:3 ratio of EU: Latin America. They must come from at least 4 countries with at least 2 from the EU and 2 from Latin America. Contact Points: Useful links: EuropeAid Cooperation Office Guidance for URB-AL European Commission B - 1049 Brussels e-mail - [email protected]
51 funding_handbook
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH FINANCING
52 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame THE 6TH RTD FRAMEWORK 2002 - 2006 PROGRAMME
(FP6)
General objectives The Framework Programmes are the main instrument for funding research within the EU • To support the creation of the European Research Area. • To strengthen the scientific and technological bases of industry and encourage its international competitiveness. • To promote research activities in support of other EU policies. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: The 6th Framework Programme has Examples of projects funded under the 5th Framework seven thematic priorities: Programme include: • Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health GECS (Global emission trading of greenhouse gases (GHG)). • Information society technologies Developing a world model for energy and agriculture • Nano-technologies and nano- (48 countries/regions) in order to calculate GHG sciences, knowledge-based emissions, permits and prices according to different multifunctional materials, and new scenarios about targets of reduction, resources of production processes and devices. energy, economic growth, and technological progress. • Aeronautics and space The results of this project have been used for the • Food quality and safety elaboration of the Directive relative to Emission • Sustainable development, global Trading. change and ecosystems STAR (Standardisation of river classifications) and • Citizens and governance in a REBECCA (Relationships between ecological and knowledge-based society chemical status of surface waters). The projects contribute to the implementation of the Water Furthermore, it covers specific Framework Directive through the development of research support to policies, SMEs ecological classification methodologies for various and international cooperation as well types of water bodies and the establishment of links as support to the transfer of between the ecological status of surface waters and knowledge, human resources and their physico-chemical quality. mobility, infrastructures, and science and society issues. PASTILLE- Promoting Action for Sustainability Through Indicators at the Local Level in Europe. Developing and examining the role of local sustainability indicators to rationalise the European approach. This was a joint project involving UK, France, Austria and Switzerland.
CarboEurope. The project will provide estimates on the carbon source/sink strength of European terrestrial ecosystems on continental, regional and local scale. This system will enable Europe to carry out independent checks of carbon sources and sinks inside and outside Europe.
LASALA (Local Authorities Self Assessment of Local Agenda 21). This project aimed to register progress made in the areas of 'eco-efficient urban management' and 'new schemes of urban governance' brought about through Local Agenda 21. An innovative technique of tele-guided concerted self-assessment utilising web-based
53 funding_handbook
resources and a virtual training centre is at the heart of the project.
5MW Wind Energy Converter for Offshore Application, coordinated by WIP Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur Planungs-KG, Germany. The project aims to develop a prototype 5MW offshore wind generator to install and operate for offshore application.
Sustainable Urban Transportation, coordinated by Environmental Software Services, Austria. The project aims, among other things, to solve the problems of urban transportation systems and land use patterns to develop and apply an indicator based approach compatible with Agenda 21.
Examples of financing under the energy support programme:
“Energy” Framework programme 1998 - 2002 (ALTENER, CARNET, ETAP, SAVE,SURE,SYNERGY)
“Intelligent Energy” programme 2003-2006 Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States, Associated All legal entities established in the eligible countries Countries and INCO Target Countries that are either involved in research or in the (the latter only in the part ‘Focussing dissemination or use of research results. E.g. and Integrating Community Research’ • Universities of FP6) are eligible for funding. • Individuals • Research bodies • Industrial and commercial firms, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Legal Basis: European Parliament and Council Decision (EC) No 1513/2002 of 27 June 2002 concerning the 6th Framework Programme of the EC for research, technological development and demonstration activities contributing to the creation of the European Research Area and innovation (2002-2006) Council Decision of 3 June 2002 concerning the 6th Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities, also contributing to the creation of the European Research Area (2002-2006) Terms and conditions: Activities must be conducted in compliance with ethical principles Only consortia of partners from different member states and associated countries can apply. Activities that can better be carried out at national or regional level will not be eligible under the Framework Programme. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General for Community Research and Development Information Service Research (CORDIS) European Commission Energy B-1049 Brussels Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development FP6: Tel: 32 2 299 1865 General research Fax: 32 2 295 8220 Global Monitoring for Environment and Security e-mail: [email protected] INSPIRE – INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe
54 funding_handbook
ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCING THROUGH EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, CULTURAL AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES
55 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame CULTURE 2000 2000-2004
General objectives: The main objective of this financial instrument is to promote a common cultural area characterised by cultural diversity and a common cultural heritage. This will be achieved through actions aimed at: • the promotion of cultural dialogue and mutual knowledge of the culture and history of the European peoples; • encouraging creativity, transnational dissemination of culture and the movement of artists, creators and other cultural operators and professionals and their works, with particular emphasis on the young and socially disadvantaged and on cultural diversity; • the highlighting of cultural diversity and the development of new forms of cultural expression; • the promotion and sharing of common cultural heritage, disseminating expertise and promoting good practice concerned with conservation and preservation of cultural heritage, at a European level; • the consideration of the contribution that culture can make to socio-economic development; • the development of intercultural dialogue and mutual exchange between European and non- European cultures; • the explicit recognition of culture as an economic factor and as a factor in social integration and citizenship; • the improvement of access to and participation for as many European Union citizens as possible. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: There are three specific types of action able Walled Towns: From Dimension to Co- to be financed under this programme. division, University of Bergamo, Italy. Study • Specific innovative and/or experimental of fortified towns in Europe to show common actions. roots and comparable architecture and archaeology of these towns. • Integrated actions covered by structured, multi-annual cultural Cooperation Moor is More (Moor is meer), Gemeente Agreements. emmen, Netherlands. Aims to make the hidden treasures of moorland areas visible by using • Special cultural events with a European visual and virtual art in the landscape itself or on and/or international dimension. the internet, to give an impression of the original landscape and how it has changed over the (See Annexe I of Decision No. 508/2000) centuries. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States, countries of the Public or private cultural organisation with legal European Economic Area (Iceland, status whose main activity lies in the cultural Liechtenstein and Norway) and candidate sphere and is directed at the general public. countries participating in the scheme (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Principal Eligibility Condition: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Involvement in concept, organisation and Romania). financing - In annual co-operation projects: -of at least 3 co-organisers from at-least 3 different countries eligible for participation in the programme In multi-annual cultural co-operation agreements: -of at least 5 co-organisers from at least 5 countries eligible for participation in the programme Legal Basis: European Parliament and Council Decision (EC) No. 508/2000 of 14 February 2000 establishing the Culture 2000 programme. Terms and conditions:
56 funding_handbook
Applicants must have the operational capacity to bring the project to a successful conclusion, provide guarantees of financial viability and professional standards and have knowledge of the content of Culture 2000 and of European Commission’s guide on grants. Projects will be co-financing and Community contribution will be in the form of grants of up to 60% of the total budget for the action. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Education and CULTURE Homepage Culture European Commission 1049 Brussels Tel: 0032 2 299 93 35 e-mail - [email protected]
Contact points for participating countries
57 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame LEONARDO DA VINCI 2000-2006
(European Programme for Vocational Education and Training)
General objectives: This financial instrument aims to develop the quality, innovation and European dimension of vocational training systems and practices, through transnational cooperation. The objectives are: • to improve the skills and capabilities of people, particularly the young, in initial vocational training at all levels; • to improve the quality and availability of continuing vocational training; • to promote the contribution of vocational training to the process of innovation, in order to improve competitiveness and entrepreneurship. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: There are five main areas by which the objectives of this Euro Roots European Training for programme can be achieved. Conservation Trainers of the Future, BTCV, UK. The aim of this project is to • Mobility- Support for transnational mobility projects raise awareness of the European for people undergoing vocational training, especially dimension of environmental training young people, and for trainers. and to share good practice. • Pilot projects- Support for transnational pilot projects to develop and transfer innovation and European Training for Improved quality in vocational training, including actions aiming Woodland Utilisation and at the use of information and communication Management, CYMAD, UK. technologies (ICT). This project aims for participants from the woodland industry and student in • Language competences- Support for projects to this field to gain the Central promote language and cultural competences in Qualification in Practical Environmental vocational training. Skills and to improve skills in forestry • Transnational networks- Support for transnational and gain a new perspective on forestry networks of European expertise and dissemination. and silviculture. • Reference material- Support for actions to establish, update and disseminate reference material. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries (Iceland, All public and private bodies and Norway and Liechtenstein), associated countries of institutions involved in vocational central and eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, training schemes, including Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, companies. Slovakia and Slovenia), and Cyprus, Malta and Turkey.
58 funding_handbook
Legal Basis: Council Decision (EC) No. 1999/382 of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the Community vocational training action programme ‘Leonardo da Vinci’. Terms and conditions: Eligibility conditions will be set out in the calls for proposals. The coordinating/promoting institution and or other organisation must possess a legal identity. Proposals must be submitted on the official application form by the deadline specified on the relevant Call for Proposals. With the exception of ‘Mobility’ and ‘Language competences’ each proposal must involve partners from at least three participating countries, one of which must be an EU Member State. For the named measures, proposals must involve at least two participating countries, with one being an EU Member State. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Education and Culture Leonardo Da Vinci European Commission 1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] Leonardo Da Vinci Mailbox National Agencies
59 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame SOCRATES 2000-2006
(Community action programme in the field of Education)
General objectives: This financial instrument aims to develop the quality of education and encourage life-long learning, while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States. The main objectives are: • to strengthen the European dimension in education at all levels and to facilitate wide transnational access to educational resources in Europe, while promoting equal opportunities throughout all fields of education; • to promote a quantitative and qualitative improvement of the knowledge of the languages of the European Union, in particular those languages which are less widely used and less widely taught, so as to lead to greater understanding and solidarity between the peoples of the European Union and promote the intercultural dimension of education; • to promote cooperation and mobility in the field of education; • to encourage innovation in the development of educational practices and materials including, where appropriate, the use of new technologies, and to explore matters of common policy interest in the field of education. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: There are six main areas by which the objectives of Ongoing project SEED (School this programme can be achieved. Development through Environmental • Mobility- Support for transnational mobility of Education), financed in the framework people in the field of education of Comenius Action, which is part of the Socrates Programme. • Support for the use of information and
communication technologies in education SEED project’s aims to promote • Language competences- Promotion of language Environmental Education by : skills and understanding of different cultures • Creating a dynamic network of • Support for the development of transnational different interest groups within the cooperation networks facilitating the exchange of educational system; experience and good practice • Improving the process of school • Support for innovatory pilot projects based on development; transnational partnerships designed to develop • Strengthening a European strategy innovation and quality in education of an Education for Sustainability • Improvement of community reference material and, through the observation and analysis of national • Transferring models of good education systems, observation and dissemination practice into teachers’ training. of good practice and exchange of information. Duration : October 2002 – September 2005 Network website : www.seed-eu.net Geographic coverage: Eligible beneficiaries: All EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries (Iceland, • Pupils, students and other Norway and Liechtenstein), associated countries of learners; central and eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Estonia, • Staff directly involved in education; Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, • All types of educational institutions Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), Cyprus and Malta. specified by each Member State; • The persons and bodies responsible for education systems and policies at local, regional and national level; • All public and private bodies cooperating with educational institutions may also take part in appropriate actions under the programme.
60 funding_handbook
Legal Basis: Council Decision (EC) No. 253/2000 of 24 January 2000 establishing the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education 'Socrates' Terms and conditions: Eligibility conditions will be set out in the calls for proposals. The coordinating/promoting institution and or other organisation must possess a legal identity. Proposals must be submitted on the official application form by the deadline specified on the relevant Call for Proposals. With the exception of ‘Mobility’ each proposal must involve partners from at least three participating countries, one of which must be an EU Member State. For the named measures, proposals must involve at least two participating countries, with one being an EU Member State. Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Education and Culture SOCRATES European Commission 1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] National Agencies
61 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame YOUTH 2000-2006
(European Programme promoting cooperation in youth-related matters)
General objectives: This financial instrument aims to widen the options available to young people by discovering Europe and by taking part in its construction, as active and responsible citizens. The main objectives are: • To encourage young people to make an active contribution to European integration, • to develop intercultural understanding; • to strengthen fundamental values such as human rights and combating racism and xenophobia, • to develop a sense of solidarity, encouraging a spirit of enterprise, initiative and creativity, • to stimulate the recognition of non formal education, • to strengthen cooperation on the part of all people active in the youth field. Actions able to be financed: Examples of previous financing: There are five main actions by which the objectives of The Boomerang Project – Karlstad this programme can be achieved. Sveden The aim of the project is to focus on • Youth Exchanges- Support for exchanges of groups places of environmental and cultural of young people inside and outside the European interest in Brazil and to exchange Union to experience other social and cultural situations experiences and knowledge in the field and get an idea of what intercultural learning means. of protection of the nature. • European Voluntary Service - Support for projects (participants : Sweden, Portugal, to offer young people the opportunity to reside in Brazil, Paraguay) another country for maximum 12 months and to take Ref. 107116 1.2 SE 10 2002 R3 part as volunteers in a local project.. • Youth Initiatives- Support for projects to encourage Point Jeunes personal initiative among young people and to France Evreux promote innovative projects targeting their social The project aims to work with young integration. people from difficult backgrounds. In a two weeks exchange the group will • Joint actions- Support for projects setting up mainly renovate a nature centre in innovative joint projects across the different Sebastopol and help clean the educational areas : Youth, Socrates and Leonardo da beaches. Vinci. (participants : France, Germany, • Support measures- Support for actions to help all Belarus and Ukraine) those involved in youth activities and in the Ref. 103469 1.2 FR2 2002 R1 preparation or development of projects and initiatives in the framework of the YOUTH programme. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries (Iceland, Groups of young people, non-profit- Norway and Liechtenstein), pre-accession countries,( making, non-governmental Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech organisations or associations, public Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia), Cyprus and Malta, authorities and other partners with candidates countries (Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey), valid experience in the field of youth Mediterranean partner countries, Commonwealth of and non-formal education.. Independent States, South East Europe and Latin America..
62 funding_handbook
Legal Basis: Decision No 1031/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 April 2000 establishing the YOUTH Community Action Programme . Terms and conditions: The Commission is responsible for implementing the programme, for defining its main guidelines and for adopting its operational mechanisms. YOUTH is nevertheless managed on a largely decentralised basis within the countries taking part in the programme, via the National Agencies which are selecting and providing support to the projects. Applications must be submitted through the official application form, respecting the deadline specified in the User’s Guide. The applicant’s guide and the relevant forms Contact Points: Useful links: Directorate-General Education and Culture Technical Assistance Office European Commission Youth Department 1049 Brussels Rue de Trèves 59-61 e-mail: [email protected] B-1040 Brussels Tel. 32 2 233 01 11 National Agencies e-mail : [email protected] Or e-mail - [email protected] SOCRATES, Leonardo and Youth TAO SOS Volunteer’s Helpdesk
63 funding_handbook
LOAN FINANCING BY THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK AND EUROPEAN INVESTMENT FUND
Title of Instrument Time Frame EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK Ongoing
General objectives As the EU’s financing institution, the European Investment Bank (EIB) helps the EU to implement its policy objectives. The Bank provides long-term financing for investment projects both in the public and private sector, furthering EU policies. The EIB raises funds on the capital markets, which it directs on the most favourable terms towards financing capital investment projects. Its main objectives are to contribute to: • Integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion in the EU • Implementation of the ‘Innovation 2000 Initiative” • Environmental protection and improvement • Preparing the Accession Countries for EU membership • EU development aid and cooperation policy with Partner Countries. • Financing SMEs via global loans and venture capital operations • Trans-European transport and energy networks (TENs) • Human capital formation. Actions able to be financed Examples of environmental financing Projects which: Water supply and sewerage and wastewater • strengthen regional development and treatment in Vienna, Turku, Hamburg, The economic and social cohesion Hague, Flemish Belgium, the Valencia and • improve infrastructure and services in the Seville regions, Yorkshire, Lisbon and the health and education sectors Tagus valley, Szczecin, Lodz, throughout • develop transport, telecommunications and Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. energy transfer infrastructure networks with a European dimension Flood prevention and reconstruction in Poland, • protect nature and manage effectively natural the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Tuscany, Valle resources, address the relationship between d’Aosta and Piedmont regions, conservation of environment and health and tackle the Venice Lagoon, and the St. Petersburg international environmental issues, such as flood protection barrier. climate change • secure the energy supply base by more Construction of urban waste processing and rational use, harnessing indigenous resources recycling plants in Melun and the Porto area, an and import diversification innovative steel waste treatment facility in • assist in the development of SMEs by Luxembourg, and the decommissioning of a enhancing the financial environment in which former uranium mine near Ljubljana. they operate EIB’s environmental eligibility criteria include: Construction of modern less-polluting power • Protecting nature and natural resources (e.g. plants involving co-generation in Vodskov, water and soil related projects) North Jutland, San Roque (Spain), and Tampere. • Environment and health (e.g. waste water Construction of a steam generating waste treatment; air quality improvement; urban incineration plant at Zwentendorf in Lower renewal) Austria, a biomass fuelled combined heat and • Sustainable use of natural resources (e.g. power plant in Ostersund in Sweden, the waste management) modernisation of a combined heat and power • Climate change (e.g. energy efficiency and plant in Swiecie, and wind farms throughout renewable energy; carbon sequestration; Scotland. 64 funding_handbook
sustainable transport). Rationalisation and modernisation of several plants for semi-finished copper products in Germany, France and Italy, and construction of a polyolefin plant and R&D facilities at Schwechat, near Vienna.
Upgrading of social housing in for instance Vienna, Poznan, and Finland.
Metro and light metropolitan rail systems in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Porto, Copenhagen, Bucharest, Prague and Stockholm. Legal Basis: Terms and Conditions: Loans are from 4 up to 30 years. The EIB offers fixed interest rates, revisable fixed and convertible rates. Variable rate loans can be available at a spread below LIBOR for full maturity of the loan at the time of each draw down. No commitment fees or non-utilisation fees will be charged. However, fees may be charged in some cases where necessary, for a project’s appraisal and required legal services. Adequate security is sought from a bank, banking syndicate, financial institution or large well diversified parent company with a good credit rating. In some cases a risk margin may be included in the financial arrangements. The EIB seeks assurances that no other creditor is in a more favourable position than itself. Project progress is monitored and on site inspections may be carried out. An end of project evaluation report may also be produced. Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All EU Member States, Acceding and Accession All public and private sector bodies and countries, Euro-Med Partnership countries, enterprises. African, Caribbean and Pacific States (APCs), South Africa and the OCT, Asia, Latin America, the Western Balkans and N-W Russia. Contact Points Useful Links: Head Office Address: www.eib.org Communication Department 100 boulevard Konrad Adenauer L-2950 Luxembourg Tel: (+352) 4379-1 Fax: (+352) 437704 e-mail: [email protected]
65 funding_handbook
Title of Instrument Time Frame SME GUARANTEE FACILITY 1998 - 2005
General objectives To encourage the granting of loans to SMEs by increasing the capacity of public or private guarantee systems in the Member States.
Actions able to be financed Examples of environmental financing The facility is managed by the European Investment Fund on a fiduciary basis. The EIF provides counter-guarantees or, where appropriate, co-guarantees for guarantee schemes operating in Member States, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and direct guarantees in the case of the European Investment Bank or any other appropriate financial intermediary.
The following four types of guarantee are available under the facility: • Loan Guarantees: to support enterprises with growth potential and up to 100 employees. Under this window, the EIF issues partial guarantees to cover portfolios of loans, typically investment loans; • Micro-credit Guarantees: to support micro-loans for very small enterprises with up to 10 employees; • Equity Guarantees: counter or co- guarantees of eligible guarantee schemes to cover equity investments in SMEs with fewer than 250 employees (no direct guarantees to venture capital funds): • ICT Guarantees: to cover portfolios of loans for the financing of IT equipment, software and training to promote the use of the Internet and e-commerce. Priority will be given to small enterprises with up to 50 employees. Legal Basis: Council Decision of 19 May 1998 on measures of financial assistance for innovative and job-creating small and medium-sized enterprises - the growth and employment initiative (OJ L 155/43, 29.5.1998). Council Decision 2000/819/EC (OJ L333, 29.12.2000, p.84) on a multi annual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005). Terms and Conditions: Interested SMEs should approach one of the financial institutions participating in the programme Geographic coverage: Eligible Organisations: All member states (EU15+EU10), EEA/EFTA countries, plus Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.. The programme is for SMEs only, priority being give to SMEs with under 100 employees. Contact Points: Useful Links: Directorate-General Economic and Financial Affairs Directorate-General Economic and Financial European Commission Affairs 1049 Brussels Economic and Financial Affairs e-mail: [email protected] European Investment Fund Participating financial institutions
European Investment Fund
66 funding_handbook
Avenue J.F. Kennedy 43 L-2968 Luxembourg Fax: 00352 426688200 e-mail: [email protected]
67 funding_handbook